Opt-Out Plan for Meters Considered

Monday

Aug 8, 2011 at 11:46 PM

By JOHN CHAMBLISSTHE LEDGER

LAKELAND | Faced with opposition from residents, officials are considering allowing Lakeland Electric customers to opt out of the smart meter program — but they could face higher costs.The idea was discussed on Monday during a 45-minute meeting among top utility and city officials.Customers who opt out of the program and choose to have a meter reader come to their home or business might have to pay a higher rate than those with smart meters."They would pay a premium because it would be the real cost to send out a meter reader," said Kevin Cook, a spokesman with the city. "The price would be substantial."Cook said the idea to offer an opt-out program was in its beginning stages. He said it would be a policy issue for city commissioners and staff to introduce.Other companies have offered opt-out options after residents voiced safety concerns about smart meters. Pacific Gas & Electric Co. in California offered an opt-out program earlier this year after a backlash to the program. That company offered customers an upfront fee of $270 and a $14 monthly charge to keep meter reader service.The opposition to smart meters came to light last week when the president and treasurer of a North Lakeland neighborhood association wrote to Lakeland Electric General Manager about their concerns."This letter is in response to the many concerns and questions that have been raised about the Smart Meters that are being installed in Lakeland," said a letter from Treasa Towson, president of Lakeshore Neighbor's Association, and Bonnie Stiffler, the secretary and treasurer of the association. "These devices emit levels of radiation that may be harmful to our public health."Others in the neighborhood near Lake Parker aren't worried.In response to the letter, Lakeshore resident Janine Callahan wrote that she supported the devices."I think it's a great idea that would reduce the amount of traffic on the road and minimize the amount of trips (workers) have to make to homes," Callahan told The Ledger on Sunday.Cook said it was the first time the utility had received a health-related complaint about the meters.The smart grid meters are new devices that allow customers to monitor their own electrical usage.Customers can go online to see how much energy they use on a daily basis.So far, about 30,000 meters have been installed. The city expects to have smart meters at the homes of all utility customers by December 2012.Lakeland Mayor Gow Fields, who voted to implement the smart meter program, said residents shouldn't be concerned about their safety.Fields pointed out that residents have little exposure to the meters because they are outside a home or business. The meters send a signal away from the home, he said.Fields said commissioners and city officials would need to crunch numbers for an opt-out program."It could be done but I don't know if it could be done affordably," Fields said.City Commissioner Glenn Higgins said Monday he supports the idea of an opt-out program as long as the city continues to use employees to read water meters.Once water meters are replaced with smart meters then the price to bring a reader to a home or business could be steep, Higgins said.Higgins was one of three city commissioners who voted against smart meters.He said his concerns were strictly financial."I didn't think it was the time to spend the money," Higgins said.He said he wasn't worried about increased radiation from the meters.Cook released a report citing various studies that said radiation affects from smart meters are minimal. The report said the meter's radio frequency signals are similar to everyday appliances such as garage door openers or wireless computers.

[ John Chambliss can be reached at john.chambliss@theledger.com or 863-802-7588. ]